About this book

Language: English with lists of bird names in English and Russian

Visitors from many countries come to the Norwegian-Russian border area to experience the variety of landscapes: mountains, fjords, valleys, bird cliffs, virgin forests, salmon rivers and endless wilderness. Birders are attracted by the unique possibilities to encounter arctic and eastern bird species which otherwise rarely appear in Europe. All together more than 320 bird species are recorded in the area covered by Birding Across the Border.

Despite the similarities, each country has something different to offer. Norway has accessible routes and a well-developed infrastructure: bird towers and bird hides as well as local tour operators and qualified guides. The Russian locations are generally hard to access and they often lack infrastructure for visiting birders. However, the Russian wilderness is full of wild nature's charm and the pristine qualities you only find far away from civilization. Together both territories offer a complete diversity of birding possibilities suited for any taste.

For the first time, Birding Across the Border gives you all the information you need to do birdwatching on both sides of the border, 24 locations in Norway, and 25 in Russia. Information on species, timing, access and strategy, and nearby facilities is given, as well as facts for visitors. Bird lists with English and Russian names are given at the end of the book, as well as a literature list.

The environmental collaboration between Norway and Russia has been going on for more than 25 years. NIBIO Svanhovd played an important role in the establishment of the border crossing Pasvik State Nature Reserve and many other environmental projects in the border area. Birding Across the Border is another result of the fruitful collaboration between Norwegian and Russian experts.